The Scope of Work

6Mar

An important step in any remodeling project is defining the scope of the project. Is a kitchen remodel limited to the kitchen or will it involve additional work, such as changing the trim throughout the house or refinishing the hardwood in other rooms?

As much as possible it’s helpful to both the homeowner and contractor if these things are decided upfront. If budget is critical and these additional items are not, then it’s probably best to keep them out of the main project. Too many small projects mixed in with one main project can sometimes muddle the scope and eat up funds intended for a dream kitchen or a master suite.

When you’ve been planning for a remodel for a number of years it can be difficult to limit the scope-of-work to one or two specific projects. As homeowners we’re always keeping a running tally of “things to be done”. However, when you’re ready to begin turning your dreams into reality it’s a good idea to fine tune the scope as much as possible to enable your contractor to design and build your project to your budget. A rambling scope can lead to a rambling budget but a well-defined scope gives you the opportunity to insist on a well-defined estimate.